Prayer Vigil for the Victims of Violence in Orlando and for All of Us

With heavy hearts, the people of Southington, Connecticut mourn the innocent victims of the horrific tragedy of hateful violence that took place in Orlando, Florida this past weekend.

"A Prayer Vigil will be held at First  Congregational Church of Southington on Wednesday, June 15th at 6:00 pm for the victims of the shootings and for all of us", said Rev. Dr. Ronald Brown, Pastor of FGC, in a joint announcement with Rev. Victoria Triano, Town of Southington, welcoming all to join in this prayerful vigil of scripture readings, music, candle lighting and the ringing of the church bell (49 times) in memory of the victims who lost their lives.

First Congregational Church of Southington is located at 37 Main Street opposite the Southington Town Green.  Prayer Vigil is estimated to run about 45 minutes concluding prior to the scheduled Music on The Green at 7:00 pm.



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Happenings Around Town 

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Honor Flag Day today, June 14, 2016

Remember Flag Day, June 14, 2016

The Summit  announces the dedication of a new flagpole at a 2:30 pm ceremony today, Tuesday, June 14th (Flag Day), on the grounds of The Summit in Plantsville, CT.

"The facility has many veterans. Past Commander of the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72, John DeMello, Sr., noticed that we did not have an American Flag.", said Barbara Blau, the Summit's Director of Therapeutic Therapy. "He was kind enough to speak with the American Legion Kiltonic , Post 72 and they generously donated a flag.  It was so important to John, that he installed the flagpole himself to have it ready today as we will officially dedicate the flag.", Blau said.  All are invited to attend the ceremony which will also be attended by local political representation. 

We salute and pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

The Summit also announced that on Friday, June 17th, at 7:00 pm they will be holding another ceremony... one which will be a reaffirmation of wedding vows .  We are honored to have a wedding ceremony for several residents as they renew the love that they share. Blau said: "We would love to share with the public this heartwarming celebration of marriage, some lasting well over 50 years." 

Happening Around Town Now

St. Thomas Parish Exuberant at Ordination of Two Newly Ordained Priests

As the date of Saturday, May 21, 2016 approached, the people of St. Thomas Church in Southington were filled with enthusiasm and joyful anticipation.  Two young men, from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, each with special ties to the church, were to be ordained on that date at 11:00 am into the Sacred Order of Priests by The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.  Read full article

Southington seniors enjoy Active Lifestyles at the Calendar House with health informationals and discussion, fitness classes, computer classes and instruction in using today's electronic devices and technology, clubs, socials, games, entertaining programs and a wide range of activities. Check out the full schedule and details at the Calendar House website and read the monthly Active Lifestyles newsletter.  

Southington Relay for Life 2016 another success as the weather held up enough for a fine turnout of dedicated teams as hundreds upon hundreds participated for 24 hours.  The event beat Sunday's rainstorm.. Southington citizen speaks in heartfelt words of reflection on what and who Relay for Life is all about.  Read full letter.

American Legion Kiltonic Post 72 Notes 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 2:00pm at the Summit in Plantsville, the dedicating of the Flag pole that the American Legion Kiltonic Post #72, the Legion's Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion donated to the Veterans, patients and staff of The Summit.

Saturday, June 25, 2016 between 9:00am and 3:30pm, the Quilts of Valor will be at our Post home designing and making Quilts for our veterans who are healing from the nds of war. Volunteers for assorted tasks needed and will be appreciated.

Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 2:00, pm at our Kiltonic Post 72 Home on the Southington Town Green, the Audrey Santo Foundation will be at our Post talking about Audrey Santo, her life and the road to Sainthood. See the link below for a story about Audrey Santo, the little girl from Worcester, MA that made miracles take place.

http://crossworks.holycross.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=rel_faculty_pub

Be in the Know with STEPS
Students,  the parents, teachers, everyone in town needs to know and Be in the Know about Southington's Town-wide Efforts to Promote Success. Another successful school year ends. We congratulate the graduates. 

Read the current STEPS newsletter for a close  up glimpse of recent and current events, efforts, successes and happenings in building a greater and healthier future for our kids. 


  

Southington's Isabella Assembly 122 of the Knights of Columbus Honors four local citizens as Catholic Citizens of the Year  2016 at Hawk's Landing Country Club .. read full article.   

Two Newly Ordained Southington Priests Bring Joy to Faith Community

As the date of Saturday, May 21, 2016 approached, the people of St. Thomas Church in Southington were filled with enthusiasm and joyful anticipation.  Two young men, from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, each with special ties to the church, were to be ordained on that date at 11:00 am into the Sacred Order of Priests by The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.  

It was to be the beginning of  a weekend of excitement for the community with many also attending the first celebration of Mass at St. Thomas Church by the newly ordained Fr. Hector M. Rangel Guerrero at 4:00 pm on Saturday afternoon and the first celebration of Mass of Fr. Mathew Gary Gworek on Sunday morning at 10:00 am on May 22^nd.  

Fr. Nicholas P. Melo
Pastor, St. Thomas Church

Fr. Nick Melo, Pastor of St. Thomas Church, said:  “It is certainly a great honor for our parish to have two men ordained to the Priesthood. Deacon Matt Gworek is a native of Southington and Deacon Hector Rangel-Guerrero has been adopted by St. Thomas, having spent his last year of formation working here.” Melo said that St. Thomas has always been a place of warm and welcoming spirit, a place where the Archbishop continues to send seminarians for a pastoral experience. 

“However, even as I reflected back on my own vocation recently, it occurred to me that what really fosters vocations with the greatest impact - more than a particular parish setting - more than a mentoring priest - is the family of the young man discerning God's calling. While I have yet to meet Deacon Hector's parents, I imagine they are quite similar to Deacon Matt's as well as my own parents, in that they are prayer-filled people, who themselves have a close relationship with the Lord and who instilled the Catholic faith in their children.”   

Meeting Guerrero and Gworek was a walk on the high side for me as I listened to their stories, their genuinely deep love of their families who fully embraced and reinforced their aspirations and their great love of their respective, though different, childhood years and culture. They both came from backgrounds that shared a strong faith, the appreciation of education, sports and life itself.  They also shared a spiritual journey of years to saying “yes” to a life of selfless service and commitment to the Lord and a life of spiritual leadership.  

Rev. Hector M. Rangell Guerrero

Hector Guerrero grew up in the small agricultural village of Charalá, population 10,000, in Northern Colombia, an area dependent on growing coffee, sugar, maize and cattle-raising. He recalls a simple but fulfilling life on a small farm his father managed while his mother managed the household, education and faith development of their seven children of which Hector was fifth. 

“We did our chores, our homework and said our prayers together as a family, (the rosary), every day. But there was also time for soccer and healthy outdoor sports.” Guerrero said. “Religious fervor was ingrained in my earliest years through my family, my village and my cultural life. But i think it is significant to mention that my interest in the spiritual life was also influenced by the presence of three Jesuit priests in our town”, Guerrero said.  

After completing his public school education, Guerrero joined the Salesian Order of St. John Bosco, moving to Bogata, where he attended Universidad Minuto de Dios, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He continued his spiritual formation years with a second bachelor’s degree in Ecclesiology and a Master’s in Theology at the Jesuit Pontifical Javerian University in Bogata. 

Perhaps his greatest challenge came when he was accepted at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield in 2012 to study English.  Until then he spoke absolutely no English!  He was then accepted at Mt. St. Mary Seminary in Maryland for his Ordination Year and until a few weeks ago served as a transitional deacon at St. Thomas in Southington. The enhancement of his communication skills in English remains a high priority with Fr. Guerrero who clearly understands the importance of language in the work of a priest.

Notwithstanding the cultural differences between the two newly ordained priests, I found great similarities in the ‘persona’ of each of both Guerrero and Mathew Gworek who grew up in Southington, CT, attended Southington public schools, graduating from SHS.  

Gworek's avid interest in music began in 4th grade when he learned how to play the alto saxaphone. He also had an active interest in sports, i.e, soccer and baseball. He continued through high school playing in the Jazz and Marching Band, soon turning his instrumental interest to the Euphonium which he came to master during his years at UCONN where he earned double bachelor’s degrees in Education and Music, respectively.  

Rev. Mathew Gworek

Mathew Gworek, his older sister, Rachel (Janowski), and his younger brother, Jonathan, all grew up in a home environment of strong faith and values with their parents, Lynne and Gary Gworek, who are role model responsible citizens and devoted parishioners of St. Thomas Church.  Mathew also noted that his earliest growing up years were at Immaculate Conception in Southington.  

“I remember having had a serious focus on faith in my earliest childhood years. I paid close attention to learning and understanding the Mass, the teachings of the Gospel and how it all relates to life.  But the sense of an actual calling to the spiritual life as a profession seemed to begin in my last few years in college where, at UCONN, I became deeply involved in a St. Thomas Aquinas group of Catholic students meeting regularly, socially and with common interests under the spiritual wing of three phenomenal Jesuit priests, all the while continuing with my education and music in the marching and pop bands and the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.”  

Today, after six years of spiritual formation at D.C. Theological College at Catholic University of America, with summer breaks in various assignments to parishes within the Hartford Archdiocese, and the inspiring mentoring of Fr. Nick Melo, Gworek said: “I’m filled with excitement and anticipation. I feel ready and in the right place to develop the skills to be the best priest that I can”.

Five Ordained Priests by The Most Rev. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of the Hartford Archdiocese on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Cathedral
L to R: Rev. Philip O'Neill, Rev. Michael Patrick Kane, Rev. Hector M. Rangel Guerrero, Archbishop Blair, Rev. Philip Roy Schulze and Rev. Michael Gary Gworek

All God's love, blessings and grace to Fr. Gworek and Fr. Guerrero as they take up their first priestly parish assignments, respectively, at St. Mary’s in Branford and St. Joseph in Bristol. 

Tag: Freelance writer Dick Fortunato welcomes comments at dick617@gmail.com

The Red Poppy: Universal Symbol of Remembrance

For more than 100 years, millions around the globe have donned a tiny red lapel Poppy on Memorial Day in remembrance of those whose lives were lost in the bloody battlefields of Western Europe, notably in the Flanders Field region of France and Belgium, during World War I.

The story behind the Poppy is compelling as we look back at a war-torn century that has come to symbolize the eternal struggle of war, death and suffering humanity, paradoxically surrounded by the ever resurgence of life in the poppies of Flanders Field.
Much of the fighting during the First World War years of 1914-1918 took place in the previously beautiful countryside that was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again.

Bloody fields of war torn Flanders Field 1915 

The landscape rapidly turned to fields of mud and blood: bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow. Witnesses of those years gradually began to recognize an ironic phenomenon in the continuing new life springing up in the fields of red poppies in the shadows of destruction.

Canadian Artillery Commander
Major John McCrae

On May 2, 1915, during the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres an exploding German artillery shell landed in the gun position of a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who was killed in the explosion.  Helmer was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.  The unit Chaplain had been called away from the site by other duties so, as the brigade doctor, John McCrae conducted the burial service of his friend, Alexis.  

The story continues. Later that evening, after the burial, John McCrae began the draft of his now famous poem: 

May each one of them ever be remembered
in eternal peace

“IN FLANDER'S FIELD” by John McCrae           

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,                               Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,                                    
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

One hundred one years later, the Red Poppy lives on as the memorial flower of the American Legion, the AL Auxiliary and many other veterans’ service organizations with its message of remembrance of the veteran.  Today, we are inundated with never ending news stories of veterans who are suffering, many not receiving sufficient treatment for the burdens of war they carry with them 24/7. 

To me, the Red Poppy symbolizes a deep moral responsibility each of us has to remember the veterans whose sacrifices continue to preserve our way of life. They and their families need us. Let’s not let them down.

Poppy Chairman of the AL Auxiliary Kiltonic Unit 72, Susan Locks said: “When you wear this little red flower, it helps to keep alive the kind of patriotism so necessary in this great country of ours. The Poppy we are distributing in return for a contribution is made by veterans – to remember veterans – and to help veterans.”  Donations made payable to ‘ALA Kiltonic Unit 72’ may be mailed to the American Legion Auxiliary, 64 Main Street, Southington, CT 06489. 
In the memo please write Poppy Program.

Freelance writer Dick Fortunato is a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves from 1951 through 1961. Comments welcome at dick617@gmail.com

American Legion Auxiliary Awards Book Grant to Southington Catholic

Books are the lifeblood of our continued learning through all of our years, especially from the earliest years of the education of our children. The American Legion Auxiliary Kiltonic Unit # 72 in Southington has long understood the significance of books in our lives. 

Susan Locks, president of American Legion Auxiliary
Unit 72 and Books Grant Award chairperson, Rachel Wache,
present book grant to Southington Catholic Principal
Mary Pat Wirkus. 

A recent academic awards ceremony at Southington Catholic School seemed to be a perfect occasion for the award of a Book Grant to the school in the amount of $486.00 from the American Legion Auxiliary, Kiltonic Unit #72.  Auxiliary President, Susan Locks and Book Grant Chairperson, Rachel Wache, presented the award to Principal Mary Pat Wirkus recognizing, with appreciation, Southington Catholic’s continuing efforts to enrich its library program. Locke noted that the Auxiliary’s literacy programs are funded by the proceeds of their two book drop off boxes, one located on High Street behind the YMCA and the second at the entrance to the Southington Drive-In on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike. The Drop Boxes, recently renamed Big Hearted Books, are still identified by its older name, Got Books, Wache said. 

"The  American Legion Auxiliary’s award to Southington Catholic brings the total of our grants since the program’s inception seven years ago to over $10,000.00, including previous grants to Southington H.S., DePaolo and Kennedy Middle Schools, many Southington elementary schools and the ALTA School, the YMCA’s after school literacy programs and the Southington Library. "

Southington Catholic's first scholastic year is nearing completion.  The school leadership, School Board, Faculty and Parents as well as students are looking forward to many exciting enhancements to school's curriculum and programs. Admissions applications for the 2016-2017 school year are being taken now. 

Memorial Day: Honoring Our Veterans and Active Military Who Exemplify Service to County and Community

As published in Appleseed column of May 13, 2016 in the Southington Citizen, 

American Legion Veteran salutes the flag during Taps  2014
Photo by Margaret Waage

Monday, May 30, 2016 is Memorial Day, a day we set aside to remember the service of our millions of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought to protect our freedom and our American way of life. 

Our hearts call us to express our deepest gratitude for those who have valiantly made the supreme sacrifice in service to their country and the men and women on active duty today.  But somehow the words do not come easy.

Ask a veteran what patriotic service is all about. You will hear various answers and you will learn that words alone cannot fully express their innermost feelings of gratitude for their fallen comrades in arms and for those who are putting their lives on the line today in all parts of the world. 

Rather than in words, you will see the meaning of patriotic service to God and Country in the ingrained actions of  service of veterans.

Consider an act of such service of eleven heroic veterans that took place on the morning of Saturday April 30^th at St. Thomas Cemetery in Southington.

Clearing headstones at veterans graves in St. Thomas Cemetery -L to R John Tripp, Jack Osakowicz, Jim Botsacos,Bob Abbott, Steve Pintarich, Tom Nedjoika, Mike Nedjoika, Craig Jones, Pat Huntley, Ron Plourde, Dan Valente - Photo by Dick Fortunato

Eleven veterans, members of the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72, the Sons of the Legion Squadron 72, and the Southington Knights of Columbus, Isabella Assembly 122, came together with their weed-whackers, lawn mowers, cutting tools and other garden implements to clear the headstones and grave areas of veterans buried at St. Thomas Cemetery. The project included identifying and clean-up of the veterans’ graves before they went to work for about two hours making the graves and flag holders ready for placement of flags on May 21^st. 

On Memorial Day, May 30^th, beginning at 7:30 am and until completion at 8:45 am, volunteers of the American Legion and the Marine Corps League will alternate visits and tributes to our fallen veterans at each of Southington’s twelve cemeteries and parks. 

Miss Southington 2014 at Memorial Day Paraade
Photo By Margaret Waage

Veterans’ organizations will jointly hold a flag raising ceremony at 8:45 am at Southington Care Center. The annual Memorial Day Parade with many civic organizations, school bands and local groups participating will form between 9:45 and 10:15 am and step off at 10:30 Miam.

A Memorial Ceremony honoring veterans will follow the parade at the steps of the American Legion Hall off the Town Green.

Now, as a community, Southington touches the hearts and needs of its neighbors in hundreds of ways every day. But Memorial Day ironically points out something interesting … that many veterans have carried forward, as a way of life, a strong spirit of service to God, Country, family and community not only on Veterans' Days, but on the rest of the rest of the 364 days of the year. 

A veteran, whether on active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of up to and including my life. That is honor, and sadly there are too many people in our country who no longer understand it.  

                                              - Author unknown

Freelance writer, Dick Fortunato is a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Comments welcome at dick617@gmail.com

Remembering Our Heroes of the Noble Nursing Profession

This week, thoughts turn to the noble profession of nursing. Nurses and their partners in healing are often intricately connected, a lifeline to us, in times of distress, when the need for healing, caring and comforting is greatest. This week, May 6 to 12, is designated National Nursing Week, honoring the birthday of Florence Nightingale.  

Nursing is much more than a job. The true calling stems from an innate compassion to help the suffering and an inner passion for healing. That spark is seen even in aspiring young nursing students. Who has not witnessed the nurse’s call to duty at the hospital bedside of a loved one, in the operating room, or in an emergency room!

A professional healer who has made nursing her life’s work caught our attention when Hartford HealthCare at Home announced last December that Southington resident, Patricia Trotta, RN, MSN had received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Coalition to Improve End of Life Care.

A graduate of Yale School of Nursing, Trotta began as an oncology clinical nurse specialist and continued in that field for more than 25 years at the V.A. Hospital in Newington, continuing at Hartford Hospital and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Meriden, (now MidState Medical Center). In 2010. she  joined Hartford HealthCare at Home’s hospice team, serving in central and eastern Connecticut.

“We are so proud of the recognition Pat Trotta has received. The work she has done to advocate for hospice and palliative care in Connecticut has been a tremendous asset,” said Laurie G. St. John, RN, MSN, vice president of Hospice and Palliative Care, Hartford HealthCare at Home.

Trotta’s career has included working as program manager of the American Cancer Society’s New England Pain Relief Project in organizing pain education and advocacy initiatives throughout the region. She also was coordinator of the Connecticut Cancer Partnership and a founding co-chairwoman of the Partnership’s Palliative & Hospice Committee where she developed goals and objectives for the State of Connecticut’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.

Trotta is a board member of the Connecticut Coalition to Improve End of Life where she has been instrumental in the coalition receiving two $30,000 grants from the Connecticut Cancer Partnership for projects of palliative and hospice care.  

The state called her into service when in 2013 Gov. (Daniel P.) Malloy appointed her to the Connecticut State Palliative Advisory Council which analyzes the current state of palliative care in Connecticut and advises the Department of Public Health on matters related to improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses.

Trotta noted that Connecticut ranks 51st in the nation for length of stay on Medicare hospice care, (only 14 days compared to 23 days national level). That’s not enough time for a patient and family to receive the care that is available in palliative care that could help them experience a peaceful, comfortable and dignified death.

“People need to understand more about hospice and palliative care which is about relieving symptoms of patients with a life expectancy of months, not years,  where the focus is on quality of life or comfort care and the active management of pain and the psychological, social and spiritual issues often experienced during serious illness.” Trotta said. “We need to encourage conversation about personal end of life wishes. Too many do not discuss this with their families or physicians which results in multiple futile treatments. Most people prefer to die at home, but too many die in an ER or hospital.”

“None of us like to discuss end of life, but it is so important to make our wishes clear as the kind of care we prefer. Even our physicians have trouble talking to their patients about it. Over the past 30 years I have seen exciting growth and advances. Still, there are barriers to ensuring the high-quality palliative and hospice care that are available. I am encouraged in the certainty that Hartford HealthCare at Home will continue to provide leadership in this important care to Connecticut residents”.

Pat Trotta, who exemplifies the best in our nursing profession, also teaches a Barre Class at the YMCA in Southington on Monday mornings. 

As published in the Appleseed column in the Southington Citizen on Friday, May 13, 2016. Freelance writer Dick Fortunato welcomes reader comments at dick617@gmail.com or in the Comments section below.